Grunge Garage
- Thread starter bczygan
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Good to hear. There is no reason why you could not get the stairs completely cleared off in the morning.....
Did you get the few things off your checklist today (see your earlier post)?
Did you get the few things off your checklist today (see your earlier post)?
MadMechMaster
Well-known member
That's the spirit!
I missed out on what kind of utility trailer you have. With the right setup, you could load your rolling dumpsters on it, and dump all 5 each day. Get em right up to the house. This would be easier on the back. 25 a week, plus what you can get out for the garbage collectors.
Take up Holedgr on his offer to get the big stuff out.
I missed out on what kind of utility trailer you have. With the right setup, you could load your rolling dumpsters on it, and dump all 5 each day. Get em right up to the house. This would be easier on the back. 25 a week, plus what you can get out for the garbage collectors.
Take up Holedgr on his offer to get the big stuff out.
MadMechMaster
Well-known member
I'll bet you can find a Home Depot open now for your respirators and Tyvek. Get started first thing in the morning.
markviii
Well-known member
I second that, Nighttrain! Bill, contact your local Labor Ready (call 800-24-LABOR to find the local number). I use them during apartment turnover and it's well worth the $ (I like that the hourly rate I pay them covers workmen's comp). I also provide lunch/water or soda for my furniture movers (Subway, usually) which they appreciate. Just let Labor Ready know that you'll be supplying the appropriate tools for the job. Labor Ready will probably deliver the workers to the site (they do in my town). I would get 4 workers for 8 hours for this job. That way you could set up an "assembly line". You should be able to complete it in that time, I think. (Or consider breaking it into 4 hours one day and 4 hours the next.) Also consider having a supervisor (Tony? Brian?) to move things along smoothly. Tony's offer of his dumptruck has a lot of merit over the dumptrailer.
I also agree with rwhite692. Just wear the proper equipment and clean up afterward. Things will be fine. (asbestos, radon, lead, arsenic in water, mold.... how have we survived this long!)
Chris (I guess I just typed too slowly!)
I also agree with rwhite692. Just wear the proper equipment and clean up afterward. Things will be fine. (asbestos, radon, lead, arsenic in water, mold.... how have we survived this long!)
Chris (I guess I just typed too slowly!)
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JC23
Well-known member
The word for this weekend is, "MOMENTUM."
Spread the word in the big D.
How ya digging this feeling, Bill?
Spread the word in the big D.
How ya digging this feeling, Bill?
kirk.g
Well-known member
Im no expert on mold but is it the toxic black mold,or some other type?......You need to be carefull ie. getting some cheap 10$ an hour labor as some have suggested...What if they got sick?.......You would need to advise them of the potential health hazard before starting to work..................I have an ozone generator, ive never tried it on mold. It kills organics (small) ones that is,although some claim it doesnt work on mold.........You can use mine if you like.................But just get the basement done,get the proper equipment.Get some live dangerously types here on GJ and get it done............If you get the furnace working you can also have the ozone gen put where it can be drawn through the ductwork(do you have duct work now?)...............Also HD sells something called Concrobium about 30$ for a large jug ,it wouldnt hurt to spray with it down there.Bleach is not effective mold killer but many dont know that...............Ive also heard that liquid nitrogen is very effective on mold.The nitrogen is relatively inexpensive but the contaner is very expensive,however you can rent the container(cant remember what they are called).There is a place 2mins from here that will sell you the nitrogen and the container for a $500.00 deposit.....................But I wouldnt seal up the basement mold doesnt just go away and it will only get worse,you may also want to get a commercial type air dryer/dehumidifier since mold likes dark humid environments..........There may be some on here that know more than me about some of these sujects.....thanks
This is ********. Enough dancing around the reality. I'm calling out Brian to fess up on the reality and danger of this situation Bill and his wife are in.
Bill....I am asking you now to stop the ******** and face your situation. I got off the phone with Brian (70 chevy) and he was pretty upset. The problem here goes MUCH deeper than a basic hoarding problem. Bill, you have already put yourself out there AND invited me to help. Here it is. Help is here and it may not be in the form you expected. I am in the position to ask you to volunteer to do the right thing or I can come over (with help)and you, and Julie can do it by anyways...No threats here brother just hard Love from one human to another.
I am supremely confident you can figure out what where I am going with this.
I backed off till you invited me to stop by anytime. You made this problem public, not anyone else. You asked for people to not give up on you. I was not wanting to be too aggressive at first, to avoid you going into a relapse of sorts....Now...Forget it! The kid gloves are coming off.
All this "feel good" chatter about your progress and intentions are great and all, but it's all pointless. **** the list of "whats Bill gonna sort today.."
I wanna see a post on what you ACTUALLY want out this life you find yourself in. That includes Julie. She is the most important thing in your life. Youre dancing around her feelings and that is ADDING to the problem. You can do it your way, but she needs a wake-up call.
Bill...you have decided to share with us and ask for our help. We ARE involved now and CANNOT turn away even if we want to. Do the right thing.
I will stop now and hopefully Brian will post up and share his thoughts and observations. I hope people will take the time think before they post and try to put themselves in Bill's shoes long enough to think about what they wish someone, anyone could do to help them. I mean, REALLY help them.
-T
Bill....I am asking you now to stop the ******** and face your situation. I got off the phone with Brian (70 chevy) and he was pretty upset. The problem here goes MUCH deeper than a basic hoarding problem. Bill, you have already put yourself out there AND invited me to help. Here it is. Help is here and it may not be in the form you expected. I am in the position to ask you to volunteer to do the right thing or I can come over (with help)and you, and Julie can do it by anyways...No threats here brother just hard Love from one human to another.
I am supremely confident you can figure out what where I am going with this.
I backed off till you invited me to stop by anytime. You made this problem public, not anyone else. You asked for people to not give up on you. I was not wanting to be too aggressive at first, to avoid you going into a relapse of sorts....Now...Forget it! The kid gloves are coming off.
All this "feel good" chatter about your progress and intentions are great and all, but it's all pointless. **** the list of "whats Bill gonna sort today.."
I wanna see a post on what you ACTUALLY want out this life you find yourself in. That includes Julie. She is the most important thing in your life. Youre dancing around her feelings and that is ADDING to the problem. You can do it your way, but she needs a wake-up call.
Bill...you have decided to share with us and ask for our help. We ARE involved now and CANNOT turn away even if we want to. Do the right thing.
I will stop now and hopefully Brian will post up and share his thoughts and observations. I hope people will take the time think before they post and try to put themselves in Bill's shoes long enough to think about what they wish someone, anyone could do to help them. I mean, REALLY help them.
-T
70Chevy
Well-known member
Bill - Saturday you gave me verbal permission to report to the forum what I saw - I went easy on you. Here's a little more exposure - I don't think everyone here understands the conditions tht you live in.
The conversation from the "mold expert" was very disheartening. The term he used was, "uninhabitable."
Here is more of the reality that Bill is not quite sharing. He has areas of his roof that is leaking to the point of damaging the ceiling in several areas in his home. Maybe mold in the attic. The windows leak - I don't think these leaks just started this week - I'm guessing it's been a couple of years. Maybe mold in the walls.
We couldn't get past the steps into the basement because of all of the stuff that you see in the pictures - it's just a wall of stuff. The floor that I could see didn't look like something that I would want to walk on. Looking up at the floor joists in the basement, you see more mold. I'm no mold expert - is it dangerous? - I will say, I only spent a few minutes in Bill's house, but on the way home my throat felt a little scratchy - it hasn't felt that way since Saturday, the last time I was in Bill's house.
I was kind of wondering about the condition of the wiring in the walls and ceilings along with the leaking water...?
There are other health issues going on here too - 2 of the 3 dogs are allowed into the house. Outside they are ******* - were they walk in their own feces and then come into the house. The hairless cats are also contributing to the mess by confusing their liter box with the front hallway floor. I haven't seen the birds myself.
Even if the basement was cleared out this weekend - I'm not sure the house is salvagable. I'm seriously thinking move away and leave it all behind and start fresh.
The unfortunate thing about this house is it's location - it's in the city of Detroit. The repair cost versus value is not good.
I don't mean to sound like I'm backing out of trying to help, but I don't think I can be the team leader anymore, unless it's to help Bill and his wife move to a new location.
I spoke with "Holedgr" on the phone tonight and he wants to take a look for himself, seeing as he sees more wet basements than me. I'll be glad to continue to help, but I need to consider my health and time not only for my sake, but my family's sake as well.
BILL: You need to STOP BUYING shop equipement.
ALL - don't be mad at me - I'm just letting you know how it is. Not giving up, just feeling like this is beyond my capabilities.
Brian
The conversation from the "mold expert" was very disheartening. The term he used was, "uninhabitable."
Here is more of the reality that Bill is not quite sharing. He has areas of his roof that is leaking to the point of damaging the ceiling in several areas in his home. Maybe mold in the attic. The windows leak - I don't think these leaks just started this week - I'm guessing it's been a couple of years. Maybe mold in the walls.
We couldn't get past the steps into the basement because of all of the stuff that you see in the pictures - it's just a wall of stuff. The floor that I could see didn't look like something that I would want to walk on. Looking up at the floor joists in the basement, you see more mold. I'm no mold expert - is it dangerous? - I will say, I only spent a few minutes in Bill's house, but on the way home my throat felt a little scratchy - it hasn't felt that way since Saturday, the last time I was in Bill's house.
I was kind of wondering about the condition of the wiring in the walls and ceilings along with the leaking water...?
There are other health issues going on here too - 2 of the 3 dogs are allowed into the house. Outside they are ******* - were they walk in their own feces and then come into the house. The hairless cats are also contributing to the mess by confusing their liter box with the front hallway floor. I haven't seen the birds myself.
Even if the basement was cleared out this weekend - I'm not sure the house is salvagable. I'm seriously thinking move away and leave it all behind and start fresh.
The unfortunate thing about this house is it's location - it's in the city of Detroit. The repair cost versus value is not good.
I don't mean to sound like I'm backing out of trying to help, but I don't think I can be the team leader anymore, unless it's to help Bill and his wife move to a new location.
I spoke with "Holedgr" on the phone tonight and he wants to take a look for himself, seeing as he sees more wet basements than me. I'll be glad to continue to help, but I need to consider my health and time not only for my sake, but my family's sake as well.
BILL: You need to STOP BUYING shop equipement.
ALL - don't be mad at me - I'm just letting you know how it is. Not giving up, just feeling like this is beyond my capabilities.
Brian
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markviii
Well-known member
Thanks for the report on conditions, Brian. Professionals have gotten a look at the mold/habitability of the property. Obviously, pictures don't tell the whole story and Brian has helped fill in details about the extent/seriousness of this situation with his on-site visit. The health of everyone concerned needs to be considered. Brian's experience shows how careful any helpers need to be when on the property.
It's obvious that Bill and Julie have been masters at hiding their situation. It helps to have a heavily wooded lot. I'm sure they keep the street sides presentable and don't socialize much with their neighbors.
Bill, you and Julie need to be more proactive, especially since you opened up to us on GJ about your situation. We all care, obviously, and many of us would be there is we were nearby. Keep up the progress. You have my support.
Chris
It's obvious that Bill and Julie have been masters at hiding their situation. It helps to have a heavily wooded lot. I'm sure they keep the street sides presentable and don't socialize much with their neighbors.
Bill, you and Julie need to be more proactive, especially since you opened up to us on GJ about your situation. We all care, obviously, and many of us would be there is we were nearby. Keep up the progress. You have my support.
Chris
Thanks Bill and Holdgr. You've been brutally honest and its clear that is exactly what is needed. Its not easy for you guys and its not easy for Bill and Julie. Bill, we are all pulling for you and Julie. You have some tough decisions and tough work but it can be done and you'll come out better for it. Keep moving forward.
Red Leader
Well-known member
This is a most disheartening report. I'm sure all the listeners/watchers of this thread appreciate the 'reality report' given above, but are also equally saddened by the news.
Bill, this doesn't mean that we are giving up on you or your ability to change. It sounds like this could end up being a very painful lesson (i.e. destroyed house) but you also have the rest of your life and your wife's life to think about and to live. If I were in your shoes, I would much rather move and start fresh if it meant adding 15 or more years to my life by increasing the quality of life/health standards and avoiding conditions that could possibly end my life prematurely. In my limited but objective (I hope!) viewpoint, you will always be able regain 'stuff' (albeit important, clean stuff), but health is much, much harder to regain. We only have 1 life. I'm sure you don't want you and your wife to suffer some terrible lung condition or worse for the remainder of your lives.
If all the professionals come through, say what's what, and the final tally is that there is just no more hope for the residence, I would encourage you to embrace it and look at it as a new opportunity to make some real life changes. I do believe that we were meant to be more than what we own/accumulate. I believe that you were meant to live life far beyond such a shallow existence.
When I think about how short all our lives are, one question I think about is 'what is my legacy?', or what do I leave behind for others? One thing common to all hoarders that I have heard about (and some of the posters in this thread are the evidence), is that when they go, all their stuff ends up staying...for others to have to suffer through, which can be a very terrible, bitter experience. Perhaps I'm getting a little too philosophical (after all, this is a garage forum
) but lets be real, I want my true legacy to have nothing to do with my garage, my stuff, or anything like that. I'm sure you don't either. And if that is the case, NOW is the time to decide to change all that. If it happens to be a repaired/gutted house, so be it. If it happens to be a condemned house, so be it. Don't discount the rest of your life, or what your true legacy/purpose is. Find out what the bigger things in life are to you (health, new start, etc) and GO FOR IT.
Don't look back, except to remind yourself how far you've come.
Bill, this doesn't mean that we are giving up on you or your ability to change. It sounds like this could end up being a very painful lesson (i.e. destroyed house) but you also have the rest of your life and your wife's life to think about and to live. If I were in your shoes, I would much rather move and start fresh if it meant adding 15 or more years to my life by increasing the quality of life/health standards and avoiding conditions that could possibly end my life prematurely. In my limited but objective (I hope!) viewpoint, you will always be able regain 'stuff' (albeit important, clean stuff), but health is much, much harder to regain. We only have 1 life. I'm sure you don't want you and your wife to suffer some terrible lung condition or worse for the remainder of your lives.
If all the professionals come through, say what's what, and the final tally is that there is just no more hope for the residence, I would encourage you to embrace it and look at it as a new opportunity to make some real life changes. I do believe that we were meant to be more than what we own/accumulate. I believe that you were meant to live life far beyond such a shallow existence.
When I think about how short all our lives are, one question I think about is 'what is my legacy?', or what do I leave behind for others? One thing common to all hoarders that I have heard about (and some of the posters in this thread are the evidence), is that when they go, all their stuff ends up staying...for others to have to suffer through, which can be a very terrible, bitter experience. Perhaps I'm getting a little too philosophical (after all, this is a garage forum
) but lets be real, I want my true legacy to have nothing to do with my garage, my stuff, or anything like that. I'm sure you don't either. And if that is the case, NOW is the time to decide to change all that. If it happens to be a repaired/gutted house, so be it. If it happens to be a condemned house, so be it. Don't discount the rest of your life, or what your true legacy/purpose is. Find out what the bigger things in life are to you (health, new start, etc) and GO FOR IT. Don't look back, except to remind yourself how far you've come.
Need4racin
Banned
x2. Unload everything from the basement and soak the basement in bleach. You'll be fine.
Once everything is clean and empty he can focus on getting rid of the cat **** and keeping the dogs clean.
Could he move? Yea, does he have the money to more into something safe and livable? Maybe yes, maybe no. That's for them to decide financially.
He still needs to scrap the junk metal, trash the trash, and sell the unneeded of value stuff from his current property and house. Whether he moves or not, it needs cleaned up.
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RVDan
Well-known member
Yes mold does not mean instant death. Sure I watch TV too, I'm addicted to home renovation shows. I see the panic, the biohazard suits, the mounds of duct tape they use to seal everything off. I also see the fact that these people were already living in those conditions for a long time, and they're still alive.
Its not going to hurt you until you disturb it. Wear a mask and eye protection. Take a shower before you go out to eat.
I work on RV's for a living, repairing rotten trailers and motorhomes full of mold is where most of my income comes from. Its been almost twenty years now, how long does it take for mold exposure to kill you?
Its not going to hurt you until you disturb it. Wear a mask and eye protection. Take a shower before you go out to eat.
I work on RV's for a living, repairing rotten trailers and motorhomes full of mold is where most of my income comes from. Its been almost twenty years now, how long does it take for mold exposure to kill you?
BlueSuedeShoe
Member
That's not the turn I expected!
Brian thanks for your detailed opinion!
It might be a good option to think about moving to a smaller place that's in good shape and only take the things you really care about with you. You would live in a nice and healthy place pretty much instantly.
Mold generally is a problem that can be dealt with. At least if the cause is identifiable. Unfortunately we, our family and friends had our share of broken pipes and roof as well.
First stop the leak. In your case fix whatever leaks in the basement and the roof.
Then get everything dry. Put up dehumidifiers, heat heat heat!!! Open the windows regularly (only when it's colder outside than inside) to get fresh air inside.
When it's dryer (after a few weeks) you take care of the remainig mold with chemical moldkiller.
It will cost some money, you have to decide if it's worth it.
As it is now I'm sure the mold is a big problem for you. The families I know that have been living in a moldy (not as moldy as yours though) house, all experience some sort of respiratory problem, often allergies, miscarriages and/or headaches. Even insomnia and depression were symptoms they had. They were all more prone to any sickness there is. Be it the flu or even pneumonia.
If I were you I would probably downsize to a neat home, maybe rent take only the things that are important and get debt-free.
Brian thanks for your detailed opinion!
It might be a good option to think about moving to a smaller place that's in good shape and only take the things you really care about with you. You would live in a nice and healthy place pretty much instantly.
Mold generally is a problem that can be dealt with. At least if the cause is identifiable. Unfortunately we, our family and friends had our share of broken pipes and roof as well.
First stop the leak. In your case fix whatever leaks in the basement and the roof.
Then get everything dry. Put up dehumidifiers, heat heat heat!!! Open the windows regularly (only when it's colder outside than inside) to get fresh air inside.
When it's dryer (after a few weeks) you take care of the remainig mold with chemical moldkiller.
It will cost some money, you have to decide if it's worth it.
As it is now I'm sure the mold is a big problem for you. The families I know that have been living in a moldy (not as moldy as yours though) house, all experience some sort of respiratory problem, often allergies, miscarriages and/or headaches. Even insomnia and depression were symptoms they had. They were all more prone to any sickness there is. Be it the flu or even pneumonia.
If I were you I would probably downsize to a neat home, maybe rent take only the things that are important and get debt-free.
Conditions for mold are NOT conditions for humans....
Take a shower....he's got no water, much less HOT water....
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A lot of good advice in the above posts. I need to take a day to let it all kind of gel in my head. A couple of things that stick out.
Mold is a serious problem.
It can be remediated, but done properly by a commercial company it is very expensive (In this case as much as multiple 10's of thousands).
We are already living with mold, and since we keep the basement door closed and never go down there it hasn't been disturbed in that area.
When I go down there it will be disturbed and become airborne. I will need to take proper precautions to protect myself and the rest of the house.
The first step is to stop leaks and water entry into the house. I can do that.
Proper remediation means removing the mold spores. Bleach does not work. It is a labor intensive process (Hence the high cost). But it can be done.
For the moment my focus still needs to be water and heat.
Temporary heat is easy to solve.
Water requires access to at least part of the basement for a permanent fix. For a temporary solution a next door neighbor has volunteered to run a hose. That will work until freeze up.
Resources. I don't have much money. Frankly, we are deep in CC debt and paying the minimum. We need to save 6K by the end of Feb or we lose the house to taxes.
Moving is out of the question. If we leave we are homeless.
So the only questions are how to go about improving our living conditions.
This is still a finite problem. It is still a doable project, just bigger and more complicated than first thought. It is just a larger whale that can still be eaten bite by bite. Cleaning up the back walk and the other work I have done has convinced me that I CAN DO IT! I can do anything I set my mind to.
It is also clear that it is way past crunch time and there is no other alternative but to work diligently every day to make as much progress as possible.
So all I have to do is to decide how to proceed. I need to think about that a little. Meanwhile, this morning I'm going back to my last neglected list.
Thanks to everyone.
Back to work. I'll check in later today.
Mold is a serious problem.
It can be remediated, but done properly by a commercial company it is very expensive (In this case as much as multiple 10's of thousands).
We are already living with mold, and since we keep the basement door closed and never go down there it hasn't been disturbed in that area.
When I go down there it will be disturbed and become airborne. I will need to take proper precautions to protect myself and the rest of the house.
The first step is to stop leaks and water entry into the house. I can do that.
Proper remediation means removing the mold spores. Bleach does not work. It is a labor intensive process (Hence the high cost). But it can be done.
For the moment my focus still needs to be water and heat.
Temporary heat is easy to solve.
Water requires access to at least part of the basement for a permanent fix. For a temporary solution a next door neighbor has volunteered to run a hose. That will work until freeze up.
Resources. I don't have much money. Frankly, we are deep in CC debt and paying the minimum. We need to save 6K by the end of Feb or we lose the house to taxes.
Moving is out of the question. If we leave we are homeless.
So the only questions are how to go about improving our living conditions.
This is still a finite problem. It is still a doable project, just bigger and more complicated than first thought. It is just a larger whale that can still be eaten bite by bite. Cleaning up the back walk and the other work I have done has convinced me that I CAN DO IT! I can do anything I set my mind to.
It is also clear that it is way past crunch time and there is no other alternative but to work diligently every day to make as much progress as possible.
So all I have to do is to decide how to proceed. I need to think about that a little. Meanwhile, this morning I'm going back to my last neglected list.
Thanks to everyone.
Back to work. I'll check in later today.
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Here's the List:
1. Bed frame out of kitchen - Completed
2. Paint cans off basement steps - on hold
3. Blower into garage - Completed
I'll check them off as they are completed.
I have a small heater on in the kitchen and good access for removing trash from there. Going to do so now.
Beginning photo:
1. Bed frame out of kitchen - Completed
2. Paint cans off basement steps - on hold
3. Blower into garage - Completed
I'll check them off as they are completed.
I have a small heater on in the kitchen and good access for removing trash from there. Going to do so now.
Beginning photo:
Attachments
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kirk.g
Well-known member
Hi Bill ;you have mentioned about the taxes.Have you talked to the city about what options you might have.Given the current situation you can end up out of there in 4 months,then all of this could be for nothing.See if they will accept a payment plan or try paying the current taxes so they dont get further behind.If you sold the campers you might be more than half way to paying the taxes................here tax arrears are charged at a 15% annual rate,it can get out of control very quickly....................As far as mold goes,this is not some new organism ,we have been living with mold for a long time.It seems only recently that so much attention has been paid to it.I dont think you walk into a room with mold and tomorrow you die!...........................About the roof? you know about building houses,so you probably know what the roof needs to stop the leaks.You need to do the minimum to stop any further leaks.Shingles are fairly inexpensive as far as building materials go.Maybe a role of tar paper and some roof patch will work in the interm,its not preaty(sp) but at this point who cares..........I mentioned about the ozone gen.you could put it in the basement and leave it on indefinatley Im sure it would stop any further mold growth..............Some people have asked you questions trying to help,it would be good if you could answer some of just briefly............thanks Kirk
BlueSuedeShoe
Member
Ok, I see you're serious.
-Prepare everything so that you can accept Holedgr's offer to get rid of your trash. Clear the walkways and do whatever else is needed. Ask if unsure!
-Get those masks and those suits for your helpers.
-Let Holedgr and everybody else who offered to help take everything that is trash to the dump. Help them, point your fingers on the items that need to go the same road as your basement stuff.
-Get the roof fixed.
-Put up heaters (electrical or whatever) in the basement. Open the windows regularly to get cool dry air inside. Get the air warmed up again (warm air can store a lot of moisture) and so on and so on.
Just the chemical stuff won't help. Mold needs certain conditions (wet, cool) and if you don't eliminate those it will be back in a heartbeat.
-Maybe someone here can help you with your financial problems. I don't know about the interest rates your paying, but it usually makes sense to take out a real loan to pay of your credit card debts.
-Sell, sell, sell! Everything you can make money with. You need the money now, not the thing whatever it is! Don't keep anything because you're afraid you'll never get it to that price again.
I promise you: When you're done fixing your problems you will find everything you'll need! (Been there, done that
)
-Think about giving away some of the animals. I know this is a hard thing to do, we have cats as well. But I also know that animals cost money and they have certain needs. Especially the dogs don't seem to have a good home at the moment.
@All
Is there anybody who can help Bill with his financial stuff? It ***** to be so far away!
-Prepare everything so that you can accept Holedgr's offer to get rid of your trash. Clear the walkways and do whatever else is needed. Ask if unsure!
-Get those masks and those suits for your helpers.
-Let Holedgr and everybody else who offered to help take everything that is trash to the dump. Help them, point your fingers on the items that need to go the same road as your basement stuff.
-Get the roof fixed.
-Put up heaters (electrical or whatever) in the basement. Open the windows regularly to get cool dry air inside. Get the air warmed up again (warm air can store a lot of moisture) and so on and so on.
Just the chemical stuff won't help. Mold needs certain conditions (wet, cool) and if you don't eliminate those it will be back in a heartbeat.
-Maybe someone here can help you with your financial problems. I don't know about the interest rates your paying, but it usually makes sense to take out a real loan to pay of your credit card debts.
-Sell, sell, sell! Everything you can make money with. You need the money now, not the thing whatever it is! Don't keep anything because you're afraid you'll never get it to that price again.
I promise you: When you're done fixing your problems you will find everything you'll need! (Been there, done that
)-Think about giving away some of the animals. I know this is a hard thing to do, we have cats as well. But I also know that animals cost money and they have certain needs. Especially the dogs don't seem to have a good home at the moment.
@All
Is there anybody who can help Bill with his financial stuff? It ***** to be so far away!
98TJ
Well-known member
These checklists are nice, but the reality is that's three items that you're just shuffling from one place to another.
Focus on one room, Bill. Stop fawking around, man. Get **** out of the house and to the trash.
I'll still send $20 towards a roll-off or Holedgr's $70 rig, but you know as well as the rest of us that shuffling **** around doesn't do a damn thing but create more work because all of that **** is going to have to be moved again anyway. Instead of moving this item from point A to point B (and later having to move it again), just pick a room and start bagging ****. Don't limit yourself to 5 cans, get some 42 gallon contractor trash bags and get movin'. Sit the bags outside so they can be hauled off.
I hope to see an EMPTY kitchen by the end of the day, Bill.
Make it happen.
kirk.g
Well-known member
There is no point in getting a large roleoff if there arent enough people to help..........How many people are there potentially?
rickairmedic
Well-known member
Bill I have some thoughts on the latest revalations but I have to go play work right now . I will say I have almost completely rebuilt my house almost single handedly from a fire so as long as the basic structure " framework of the house is intact " it can be fixed . Keep moving forward and I will have some more thoughts on what to do when I get back tonight .
Rick
Rick
flybefree
Well-known member
Thanks to Brian for going out of his way to help someone he doesn't know, never met, and is in a seriously tough spot in life. Do not get discouraged, this issue was not created in a day and will not solved in one either...it is a problem as complex and difficult as they come...and in the final analysis all we can do is try to help.
Shaun
Shaun
Need4racin
Banned
Bill you need to throw more away. At this rate you won't have the house cleaned out for when the govt kicks you out.
Quicker you get all the **** scrapped/thrown away more time you have to make money.
Quicker you get all the **** scrapped/thrown away more time you have to make money.
moonpool145
Well-known member
Good God man, is this real. I agree with the others about tough love, YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE. If you dont have money for taxes you most certainly dont have money for great finds on CL or any other nonsense. You are past the point of half measures. Step one is to decide if your serious (hint: "paint cans off basement steps" is not, I repeat NOT serious). If you are serious then take the next 5 days and throw away 90% of what you have. I will send money to help out as well but you have to be serious first. The time for supportive statements is past. Get your A$$ in gear as you owe it to yourself and your wife.
I am pulling for you
rwhite692
Well-known member
Indeed.
Bill, one thing to consider, is that, if you can round up some money, you could get the roof repairs underway, so that the leaking is stopped, and that work would not require that anyone come into your home and deal with the other issues or obstacles.
Getting that roof repaired is a top priority, probably the near-equal of the water and heating repairs.
70Chevy
Well-known member
Good God man, is this real. I agree with the others about tough love, YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE. If you dont have money for taxes you most certainly dont have money for great finds on CL or any other nonsense. You are past the point of half measures. Step one is to decide if your serious (hint: "paint cans off basement steps" is not, I repeat NOT serious). If you are serious then take the next 5 days and throw away 90% of what you have. I will send money to help out as well but you have to be serious first. The time for supportive statements is past. Get your A$$ in gear as you owe it to yourself and your wife.
I am pulling for you
What's funny is you think taking the paint cans out is not a big job. I would guess there are 100 1 gallon cans of used paint. After that, near the bottom of the stairs, 20 5 gallon cans.
If these were moved by one 61 year old man in an afternoon, it would be a big accomplishment.
Ole_Red
Well-known member
Well I have just spent my first 2 hours at work reading/skimming this thread. While it is encouraging that your wife is beginning to support you on this endeavor.... The actual seriousness befuddles me. You know that it all needs to go, get er done.
You make some progress by moving a bed frame and are excited. Moving it from one section of your property to another isnt progress in my mind. Actually seeing it in a dump or at goodwill, is. I know that you have done a lot and congrats on what has been accomplished thus far. I dont care if you still see them as usable items, they are slowly killing you and your relationship with your wife. She wanted to move to a new house at one point. Brutal.
Have you guys considered moving on once this one is cleaned out of all the garbage? Getting a fresh start?
Brian, I commend you for your efforts thus far.
Listen Bill, I support you man and hope that you see this through to the end, it just seems like something is holding you back.
I hope that I dont come across as an a-hole. Just my .02 .
You make some progress by moving a bed frame and are excited. Moving it from one section of your property to another isnt progress in my mind. Actually seeing it in a dump or at goodwill, is. I know that you have done a lot and congrats on what has been accomplished thus far. I dont care if you still see them as usable items, they are slowly killing you and your relationship with your wife. She wanted to move to a new house at one point. Brutal.
Have you guys considered moving on once this one is cleaned out of all the garbage? Getting a fresh start?
Brian, I commend you for your efforts thus far.
Listen Bill, I support you man and hope that you see this through to the end, it just seems like something is holding you back.
I hope that I dont come across as an a-hole. Just my .02 .
kirk.g
Well-known member
Call the city tell them your financial situation,sending some money may buy time.Im sure the last thing the City of Detroit wants is another empty building.If you just carry on you will probably leave them no choice but to act......I said before try and at least pay the new accrueing taxes so you dont get any further behind.If you sell the one camper you have on CL then designate that $ toward the taxes.......Also when you are going to sell something why dont you post-mention it on here maybe you can get a quick and easy sale with GJ members...............Bill I see/read loads of advise on here but I dont see you taking any of it......In a very practical way I see Holedgr as your most valuable resource no one else has shown the ability to do the heavy lifting like he has.No offense to other people on here.Also Brian who went out of his way to get the mold guy to look around.............Some of this you should be doing yourself;ie dumpster prices..............Just think that in a week or two if you could have all the clutter gone how easy it would be to get around the place.Then you would have access to the mechanical issues..................are we all flogging a dead horse here or beating our heads against the wall??.......its time for some project management.
moonpool145
Well-known member
My comment is not intended to be mean spirited but nonetheless still stands. Maybe I should have said "bed frame moved". I was going to write a detailed response but its all been said many times here.
Bill, I am pulling for you man
I just had a long visit from Holedgr. He did an exhaustive inspection of the whole property. He knows everything about me, my wife and our situation. He may post a report. He has suggested a plan of action. It's up to me to decide if I want to accept it with his help or keep going without it. I'm mentally beat from his visit and need some time to think. Meanwhile I have a couple of tasks to complete that he suggested, so I will go do them.
OK,
I've had a little bit to process what Tony said. He is a straight shooter. Here's what I am coming to realize.
I have a lot of stuff, some of it very nice. More than I need.
I have a nice house, better than a lot of people have
Our income is more than adequate to live nicely.
I have not been responsible with any of what I have. We have not been responsible adults in the way we live, how we handle our finances and how we maintain our property and possessions, or in keeping healthy.
Peoples comments about getting real are on target. I am still not able to let go. Tony described what could happen to clean up the house and yard as we went through it all. All I could feel was fear about all the valuable things he wanted to dispose of. It was 2 radical a change all at once. I can't bear to let most of this stuff go. An example is a 5 lineal foot stack of 20"x20" pieces of used greenhouse glass. I spent many days of work disassembling a greenhouse that the Kelly and Company hosts used to on to get that. I was going to build a greenhouse on the back of the house here. But I have lots of trees and probably never will. It still has a big pull on me. Another example. Tony is going to look at the Craftsman drill press in Algonac. He proposed buying my Buffalo that I recently bought. This would give me some needed cash. He even offered almost 4 times what I paid for it. I still couldn't bear the thought. He has a real need for one and I just want it to have it with some vague idea of future use. He said he didn't sense a real desire in me to do this. He's right, the fear is keeping me back. I'm afraid of losing control of everything. I really don't deserve any pity about all this. I created it and I have the means of solving it. I don't deserve any help of any kind. I could literally sell many of the things I have collected and don't use to get the cash to fund the repairs that are needed. I have multiple drill presses, multiple vises, multiple bicycles, 2 motorcycles, 18 pop up trailers, an Airstream, an ultralight airplane, etc. Frankly, I would feel guilty accepting any more help at this point. What Tony described does seem like the kind of life I would love to live. Rooms cleaned out and usable. Lot cleared of junk and the sheds used for only useful storage, and everything properly stored. Shop set up just so. Airstream emptied and ready for use. Whether I ask for help or not, his plan is what I want to follow.
OK,
I've had a little bit to process what Tony said. He is a straight shooter. Here's what I am coming to realize.
I have a lot of stuff, some of it very nice. More than I need.
I have a nice house, better than a lot of people have
Our income is more than adequate to live nicely.
I have not been responsible with any of what I have. We have not been responsible adults in the way we live, how we handle our finances and how we maintain our property and possessions, or in keeping healthy.
Peoples comments about getting real are on target. I am still not able to let go. Tony described what could happen to clean up the house and yard as we went through it all. All I could feel was fear about all the valuable things he wanted to dispose of. It was 2 radical a change all at once. I can't bear to let most of this stuff go. An example is a 5 lineal foot stack of 20"x20" pieces of used greenhouse glass. I spent many days of work disassembling a greenhouse that the Kelly and Company hosts used to on to get that. I was going to build a greenhouse on the back of the house here. But I have lots of trees and probably never will. It still has a big pull on me. Another example. Tony is going to look at the Craftsman drill press in Algonac. He proposed buying my Buffalo that I recently bought. This would give me some needed cash. He even offered almost 4 times what I paid for it. I still couldn't bear the thought. He has a real need for one and I just want it to have it with some vague idea of future use. He said he didn't sense a real desire in me to do this. He's right, the fear is keeping me back. I'm afraid of losing control of everything. I really don't deserve any pity about all this. I created it and I have the means of solving it. I don't deserve any help of any kind. I could literally sell many of the things I have collected and don't use to get the cash to fund the repairs that are needed. I have multiple drill presses, multiple vises, multiple bicycles, 2 motorcycles, 18 pop up trailers, an Airstream, an ultralight airplane, etc. Frankly, I would feel guilty accepting any more help at this point. What Tony described does seem like the kind of life I would love to live. Rooms cleaned out and usable. Lot cleared of junk and the sheds used for only useful storage, and everything properly stored. Shop set up just so. Airstream emptied and ready for use. Whether I ask for help or not, his plan is what I want to follow.
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kirk.g
Well-known member
Brian thats exactly the problem what can one 61 yr old man do with 100 gallons of paint cans?At the rate he is going it will be into the next century before its all done.This is a big undertaking(yes stating the obvious here).Thats why intervention is the only way out of this.My mother used to say many hands make light work..........Some one needs to measure the volume of garbage to see if a large dumpster will hold it all.How much can be moved over say a weekend with a certain number of people.Someone with some project management experience/knowledge would be a big help.Maybe your the guy?....there must be hundreds of people watching all of this judging by the number of views now over 45,000..............I bet there is far more than 2 guys in the area who could help out.We need a crew and weekend set up....thanks
I have two things to say...
First... it is 2:39 and I am on my 2nd beer. Oh yeah...and I've been home from visiting Bill's house for 6 minutes. I will drink till my brain slows down and the frustration disappears..
Second...Bill's biggest problem.......is in his head. That's it.
-T
First... it is 2:39 and I am on my 2nd beer. Oh yeah...and I've been home from visiting Bill's house for 6 minutes. I will drink till my brain slows down and the frustration disappears..
Second...Bill's biggest problem.......is in his head. That's it.
-T
kirk.g
Well-known member
LOL!! gee you figured out that one(no offense)Do you have a whole box of beer?........If I come down I,ll throw in a box of beer.........Kirk
Bill, I'm not going to beat you up but at this point you should sell any and everything that you can. Take any reasonable offer that you can get, I am sure that people on here would and have shown interest in some of the things that you have. You don't have the time nor the room for most of it, ex. when will you use a bridgeport or lathe????? yes it is cool to say that you have one but you DON'T NEED THEM. You need a safe clean living environment. It's time to start over with your new mind set.
All of your time is being spent cleaning and moving these things around. If you can't pay the taxes you will loose the house and the contents. So start selling so that you can keep what you have been working so hard to salvage.
Best wishes
All of your time is being spent cleaning and moving these things around. If you can't pay the taxes you will loose the house and the contents. So start selling so that you can keep what you have been working so hard to salvage.
Best wishes
kirk.g
Well-known member
Bill; Given your last post I may have somewhat of a solution to your being able to hang on to some of your more valueable items. I have worked in the trucking field for a few years and I was thinking about storage trailers.Most of the time the 53ft trailers you see on the roads are turned into storage trailers when they get older.They usually rent out rather inexpensively on a monthly basis. Where it can turn into more money depends on where you can park it.........I have a class A/1 license I could drive it but you would need to rent a tractor.It would be a few hundred bucks to set up initially but they hold alot of stuff.This would releive some of the pressure and anxiety over feeling forced to give up some of your possesions. It would give you time to then sort through what you really want at a less stressful time.....................But you would not want to just let it sit and accrue storage charges for too long...........Thanks Kirk
Need4racin
Banned
Bill, you're not losing anything valuable doing this. You are turning your old stuff into $$$ to pay for your taxes so you will have a place to live. There's no way around it, you need to clean up the house whether you let them take the house or if you're still living in it. If you don't clean up your house everyone is going to steal anything of value from your home once they kick you out.
Keep THE BASICS on what you need to live. Scrap the rest, throw away what not of value. Sell what is of value ($100+) on craigslist. Just a reminder no one wants to buy something dirty, old, or broken.
Remember it's not throwing away, it's making money, turning unused, un-needed items into liquid assets $$$$.
If you don't plan on throwing stuff away you might as well make a post on craigslist saying this address in detroit will be ready for all local scrappers to come and steal anything of value from my home while I'm (Bill) starving and freezing to death on the side of the road.
Let us know when you're ready.
Keep THE BASICS on what you need to live. Scrap the rest, throw away what not of value. Sell what is of value ($100+) on craigslist. Just a reminder no one wants to buy something dirty, old, or broken.
Remember it's not throwing away, it's making money, turning unused, un-needed items into liquid assets $$$$.
If you don't plan on throwing stuff away you might as well make a post on craigslist saying this address in detroit will be ready for all local scrappers to come and steal anything of value from my home while I'm (Bill) starving and freezing to death on the side of the road.
Let us know when you're ready.
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